Steam-engine or the like.



J. B. ALLFRBE. STEAM ENGINE OR THE LIKE.

APPL IGATIONIILED NOV. 28, 1908.

Patented Sept. 10, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Witness J. B. ALLFREE.

STEAM ENGINE OR THE LIKE.

z .w M va. 0 M a Patented Sept. 10, 1912.-

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 28, 1908.

WU-Mwozo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. ALLFREE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE HOBART-ALLFREE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

STEAM-ENGINE OR THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES B. ALLFREE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chi cago, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Engines or the Like, of which the following is a specification. I I

My invention relates to improvements in valves and valve gears for steam engines and is especially adapted for high speed and locomotive types.

reducing the clearance to a minimum, and-a The objects of my invention are --first, to so construct and arrange a cylinder, steam chest, short live steam'and exhaust ports with independent oscillating distribution valves and auxiliary exhaust. ports w th independent exhaust valves, in order to insure a most economical distribution'and use 1 of the live steam in the cylinder by having;

the events of the valves, or admission, cut-oil, release, exhaust, and compression, give the greatest and most uniform mean efiective pressure with relatively, low terminal or back pressure for a given cut-off and with a minimum of clearance: second, to provide independent compression controlling or regulating valves which may be adjusted to open and exhaust simultaneously with or a little later than the oscillating valves, but made to close for compression much later than the oscillating or live steam distribution valves: third, to provide a steam distribution primarily for locomotives that will accomplish the above stated objects 'with the least number of parts and of such a construction and arrangement which practice has proven Wlll best resist thehardships incident to locomotive service; while at the same time obtaining the greatest economy and increasing the tonnage capacity and speed of the locomotive: fourth, to provide an arrangement of valve gear in connection with the above referred to valves, in order to obtain the greatest degree of economy by steam distributionjthat will not increase the slipping tendency of the driving wheels when used in connection with locomotives: fifth, to provide an arrangement of Valves and valve gear which will give the piston theleast retarded movement in its cylinder by cutting down the compression and delaying, as far as possible, the time of exhaust,

or. 111 other words, toapply the power in Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 10, 1912, Application filed November 28, 1908. i i

Serial No. 464,923.

such a Way as to obtain the nearest approach,

to a continuous and uniform torque or turn I ing movement-z sixth, to'insure against the irregular or jerking motion imparted to the driving wheels of a locomotive by providing against a too early release of the expanding steam and a too early compression of theexpanded steam: seventh, to provide a construction of-main valves, auxiliary exhaust or compression regulating valves, ports, and

valve gearto permit the-use of a minimum of clearance, thus avoiding one of the greatest sourcesof waste in steam engines, andat the same time obtain higher piston speed if desired: eighth, to rovide a construction and arrangement which is cheaper to build,

easier of access to repair, lessexpensiveto maintain, and having all the strains on the valve gear in a straight line: ninth, other evident functions and advantages of the specific constructions and arrangementof the parts, which will hereinafter appear from i the detailed description of the invention and the manner of applying the same.

My invention comprlses novel features of construction and relative arrangements of the scribed in the detailed description, and par-- ticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference is had to the accompanying two sheets of drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures.- I

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my inven tion, Fig. 2 is a plan view omitting some parts, which will be hereinafter de' of the common and well known elements shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section and dc velopment taken on line III-III. of Fig. 4-.

Fig. 4: is a section Fig. 8. v a

To accomplish the objects above mentioned, I provide a gear of the WValschaert type adapted to operateindependent osciltaken on line IV-1V-of 'lating' valves, one located at each end of the cylinder for the distribution of the live; steam and main exhaust and" a similar arrangement of independent and preferably reciprocating piston valves forcontrolling and regulating the compression after the main exhaust has been closed.- The valve gear and its connection vwith the oscillating valves is such that a rapid travel is imparted to said valves at the time .of -opening and closing the .ports to the live steam and there by preventing wire drawing,

during the period I of expansion and exhaust.

While the two oscillating or main distribution valves accomplish perfectly for all cut-offs, the functions of admission, cut-01f Y and release; the closure and beginning of compression with them alone would be too early and in order to correct this event I have provided in conjunction with the auxiliary exhaust ports a compression conthe ports 10, 10

iliary exhaust which is bifurcated 6 5 trolling or regulating valve, witha movement so timed as to remain open after the main exhaust has been closed of the auxiliary exhaust ports takes place at such a period of the stroke of the engine as to take care of thelost motion in the rapidly reciprocating and rotary parts andpreventpounding.' With this end in view and in order to obtain the greatest eificiency and-expansion of the admitted live steam with-afree and unrestricted exhaust, I have devised the hereinafter described construction. The meansemployed by my invention to overcome these diiiiculties and efiect-the objects stated above will now be specifically described as used in connection with a locomotive, and while so described I wish it to be distinctly understood I do not care to limit, myself to this specific use, as will be readily-understood by those skilled in the art. ,It may be applied to other forms of engines 'as, for example, stationary or marine type.

Referring .to the drawings 1, is a cylinder which is -provided with theusual heads, stuilingboxes, threaded openings for drain valves and'othe'r essentials which need no description to. be fully understood; 2, isa piston provided with a piston rod 3, connected to the cross-head 4, which is supported and guided by suitable rods 5, 5, in the well known manner.

6, is a live steam chest, preferably located above the cylinder and 7 '7 are steam ports leadingfrom the steam chest 6, to the oscillating distribution valve chambers 8, 8

9, 9 are any suitable form of oscillating balanced steam admission to the cylinder 1, through and the exhaust through the main exhaust ports 11, 11 to the final exhaust passage 12, leading to the stack. 13,13 are the auxiliary exhaust ports leading from the ends ofthe cylinder 1, to the main exhaust passage and-which are controlled by any ton form of compression regulating or auxvalves 14, 14 reciprocating in suitable cylindrical seats. The means for properly operating the said oscillating or main distribution valves 9, 9 as above ex plained, consists of a combination lever 15, at its upper end with forks or branches 16, 16 and pivotally and the closure piston valves controlling the livesuitable and preferably pisconnected to a guide block 17, guide rod 18. The lower end of the combination lever 15, is pivotally connected to the cross-head 4, by any suitable link 19. The fork or branch 16, is suitably connected b a link 20, to a crank arm 21, attached to the oscillating valve 9, while the fork or branch 16 is connected by link 20 to crank arm 21 operating the other oscillating valve 9 22, and 22 are arms connected respectively at one end of rocker shafts 23, and 23 suitably supported on the exterior and end of the steam chest 6, while the other ends of said arms are pivotally connected by sliding on short links 24, and 24 ,'to the crank arms' 21, and 21 operating the oscillating valves 9, 9 The opposite ends of the rocker shafts 23, and 23 by means of the arms 25, and 25 are connected by variable slotted conneat-ions 27 27 with the exterior of the valve rods 26, 26 operating the auxiliary exhaust valves 14, and 14 said slot connections being varied by, adjustable bolts 28, 28 as shown 29 is a radiusbar, one end of which is pivotally connected to the guide block 17, and the other end is supported by the slide block 30, guided in the link 31, which is pivotally supported by the engine frame in the usual'manner. The rear end of the radius bar 29, is so arranged and constructed as to have a sliding and adjustable connection 35, with the cut-off or reversing lever 32, while the link 31, is rocked by the well known expedient of connecting rod 33, and crank 84, on a driving wheel as indicated.

As will be seen from the foregoing disclosure'of the construction and arrangement of the various parts and reference to Fig. 1, the forks or branches or points of connection of the oscillating or distribution valves are arranged at such an angle as to vary the movements of translation at certain periods of the stroke between the rods 20, and 20 connecting the said valves, while the angular arrangement or connections of the crank arms 21, and 21 operating the valves with the said rods 20, 20 will, furthermore, quicken the movement of the distribution valves over their seats at the beginning of the stroke or admission and cut-0ft and retard their travel during the end of the stroke or point of release. This will be more clearly understood when it is observed that while the effective arm of a fork or branch of the combination lever'is being lengthened due to its oscillation, the crank effec tive arm of the corresponding valve is being shortened, and vice versa, thus imparting to the distribution valve a highly accelerated movement at oneportion or commencement of its travel, and a retarded or slower motion at another portion or end of its travel, and is accomplished with the least remains more or through the fports 7,

close for compressionmuch later than the sioninto perfect accord number of to avoidji niains" and acquire certaintyol' operation and on the outside where they are easily accessible. For the operation of the compression controlling or auxiliary exhaust valves the same general .plan is fol lowed, setting the respective arms at such angles as will delay the closing of the compression valve at a period later'than that of themain valve and as will be readily seen to still further adjust or regulate the operation of thecompression valve, a slot is provided permitting any desired amount oflost motion, whereby a perfect and accurate means is at hand for bringing the compres- I or harmony with the invariable'clearance, which is the great- .est care in engine building and will vary as between different sized cylinders and ratios of stroke and cylinder diameter, but with merit may be quickly made.

Itis Well known from the same drawings will oft times vary materially in operation. One operating perfectly and theother very imperfectly even though the valve events for admission, cut-0H, and release are known to be the same; asno means heretofore has been provided for readily controlling the vcompressionwhich-is always the principal difficulty or: the cause of trouble and in many cases less a mystery; and with the present invention a little adjustment will socnbring the operation of a bad Workmg engine up to a high standaid The operation of the invention is as follows Assuming the piston end valves in the position indicated in Fig. 3, the live steam in the chest 6, has been admitted and 10, to the cylinder 1, and cut-o by the oscillating or distribution valve .9, and the piston 2, is moving in;

the direction indicated by the arrow, and the auxiliary exhaust passage is closed and the admitted live steam is expanding. At the other end of the cylinder the expanded steam is exhausting and the main exhaust passage 11 is about to be closed by the valve 9 and the auxiliary exhaust passage 13. is still open for the remainder ot'the stroke except for entrapping suflicient expanded stem for proper cushioning. As above described the link motion properly oscillates the distribution valves 9, and 9 so that the movements and events of the valves arecorrect and the auxiliary exhaust valves are so adjusted as to open simultaneously with or a little later than the main or oscillating valves, but are made to main valves and etlect a highly eitlcientdistribution of the steam by avoiding unnecessary back pressure due to too early closing of the ,exhaustand at'the same time having parts, which are in a straight line that tWo engines built and a under absolute ,1 control independently at each end of cylinder the compression separate from the oscillating or main valves, whereby the clearance of the ports and-cylinder may be reduced, and consequently effect a great saving of live steam. While I have shown and described myinvention as applied to steam it can be used with the same efiiciency and manner, with any other ex oansible fluid. 1

arious changes may be made in the specific details of my engine and in the means for operating oradjusting the valves, and While I have in the foregoing specification described one form to accomplish the results aimed at, yet it vvill be obvious to those skilled in the art that i the same may be modified in many Ways Without changing in any way the operation of the mechanism or varying the invention. 7 From the detailed description and the mode of operation of my invention it will he clearly seen that l have devised an engine in which the objects set out in the statement of invention are fully and efficiently carried Having fullydescrihed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Lettcrs Patent is as folloWs:-

l. A steam engine comprising a cylinder, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports'connected with the cylinder, auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder with the exhaust, oscillating valves controlling the main admission and exhaust ports, an separate compression regulating valves controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports, and. valve gear for simultaneously operating the oscillating and compression regulating valves, so that the compression regulating valves have a shorter stroke than the oscillating valves in the short or earlier cut-ofis,

longer stroke than the oscillating valves in the long or later cut-offs.

2. A steam engine comprising a cylinder,

a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected with the cylinder, auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder with the exhaust, independent oscillating valves controlling the main admission and exhaust ports,cand independent and adjust'able compression regulating valves controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports, and valve gear for simultaneously operating the oscillating and compression regulating valves, so that the compression regulating valves have a shorter stroke than the oscillating valves in the short or earliercut-oils, and a longer stroke than the oscillating valves in the long or later cut-oils.

3. A steam engine comprising a cylinder, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected with the cylinder, auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder with the exhaust, independent oscillating valves 1 too 1 "ports connected with the cylinder,

controlling the main admission and exhaust ports, independent and ad ustable compression regulating valves controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports and means for operating the compression regulating valves and closmg the auxiliary exhaust ports afterthe oscillating valves close the exhaust through the main exhaust ports.

4. A steam engine comprising a cylinder,

a steam chest, main admission and exhaust auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder with the exhaust, independent oscillating valves controlling the main admission and exhaust ports, a compression regulating valve 'connected to each of the oscillating valves and controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports, and means for adj usting'the connections bet-ween the oscillating valves and compression regulating valves for varying the closing of the auxiliary exhaust ports.

oscillating valves for quick admission and and-laterelease of the expanded steam, separate and independ-' cut-off of the live steam ent compression regulating valves controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports and adjustable means-connected with the compression regulating valves-'forvarying and controlling the closing of the auxiliary exhaust ports. f I

6. A steam engine comprising a cylinder, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected with the cylinder, auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder With the'exhaust, separate and independent oscillating valves controlling the main admission. and exhaust ports, valve gear for operating said oscillating valves for quick admission and cut-off of the live steam and laterelease Y of the expanded steam, and an adjustable oscillating valves compression regulating valve connected to each of the oscillating valves and controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports.

7; A steam engine comprising a cylinder, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected with the cylinder, oscillating valves controlling the main admission and exhaust ports, means for operating said for quick admission and cut-oil of the live steam through the admission ports, auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder With the exhaust, indepehd ent compression regulating valves adjustable with respect to the oscillating valves and controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports and. means for operating said compression regulating valves toclose said auxiliary exhaust ports after the main exhaust ports.

auxiliary 1 8. A steam engine comprising a cylinder, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected with the cylinder, oscillating valves controlling the main admission and exhaust ports, means for operating said oscillating valves for quick admission and cut-ofi' of the live steam through the admission ports, and late release of the expanded steam, auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder with the exhaust, independently vadjustable compression regulating valves controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports and means for operating said com ression regulating valves to close said auxi iary exhaust ports after the main exhaust ports. -9. A steam engine comprising a cyhnder, piston, piston rod, cross-head, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected with the cylinder, auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder With the exhaust, independent oscillating valves controlling the main admission and exhaust ports, means for operating said oscillating valves consisting of a combined reciprocating. and oscillating combination lever having at one end two forks or branches and having its other end connectedwith the cross-head, a radius bar connected at one end with and reciprocating the combination lever, means for reciprocating the radius bar, means for connecting anv oscillating valve to each one of the forks or branches, auxiliary exhaust or compression regulating valves controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports and means for con- 'necting a compression regulating valve-to each of the oscillating valves.

10. A steam engine comprising a cylinder, piston, piston rod, cross-head, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected with the cylinder, auxiliary exhaust ports connecting the cylinder With the main exhaust, independent oscillating valves controlling the admission and exhaust orts means for operating said oscillating valves consisting of a combined reciprocating and oscillating combination lever having at one end two forks or branches and having its other end connected with the cross-head, a radius bar connected at one end \Vltl1 i 11 (l reciprocating the combination lever, means for reciprocating the radius bar, means for connecting an oscillating valve to each one of the forks or branches, auxiliary exhaust ports, independent auxiliary exhaust or compression regulating valves controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports, means for connecting a compression regulating valve to each of the oscillating valves and means for adjusting the connection between the oscillating valves and the compression regulating valves.

11. A steam engine comprising a cylinder, piston, piston. rod, cross-head, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected with the cylinder, independent oscillating valves controlling the main admission and exhaust ports, a combined reciprocating and oscillating combination lever connected with the oscillating valves,'means for oscillating said combination lever and independent means for reciprocating combination lever, auxiliary exhaust ports, and independently adjustable compression regulating valves controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports.

12. A steam engine comprising a cylinder, piston, piston rod, cross head, a steam chest, main admission and exhaust ports connected With the cylinder, independent oscillating valves pendent means sa d controlling the admission and exhaust ports, a combined reciprocating and oscillating combination lever connected With the oscillating valves, means for oscillating said combination lever, indefor reciprocating said com.- bination lever, auxiliary exhaust ports, and compression regulating valves adjustably connected with the oscillating valves and controlling the auxiliary exhaust ports.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 25' in. presence of two Witnesses.

. JAMES B. ALLFREE.

Witnesses:

W. E. SGHOENBORN, CHARLES LOWELL HOWARD. 

